Doctors treating opioid addicts have new avenue for advice

Doctors in Alberta who treat patients with opioid addictions will soon have access to a new expert consultation phone service.

According to Alberta Health Services, beginning August 8, physicians and prescribers will be able to consult an opioid dependence specialist for advice on prescribing drugs such as naloxone and methadone.

“Primary care physicians without experience treating this group of patients often face challenges and require additional guidance. As a result, patients are typically referred to emergency departments or special clinics rather than receiving care with their family doctor,” says
Dr. Michael Trew, Medical Lead, Addiction and Mental Health Special Projects with AHS.

The consultation will be on a pilot project basis through February 2018. Callers will receive a follow up as soon as possible from one of the four physicians working in Edmonton or Calgary at local opioid dependency program clinics.

“Making sure Albertans have access to opioid dependency treatment is a key part of the Alberta government’s response to the opioid crisis,” says Sarah Hoffman, Minister of Health. “The pilot is aimed to support physicians so they can provide opioid dependency treatment for more patients right in their communities. This action will help reduce barriers to treatment that we know saves lives.”

project will take one year

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The latest numbers from the United Nations indicate Canada has the leading per capita use of prescription opioids in the world and that rates of overdose and addiction are in the same ballpark.

For more information on the new advice available to doctors, visit www.ahs.ca/opioidadvice.